Seafood, Omega-3s, and Healthy Aging

Findings support guidelines for increased consumption of seafood for older adults

Higher blood levels of omega 3 fatty acids found in seafood are associated with a higher likelihood of healthy ageing among older adults, finds a US study published by The BMJ today.

With populations across the world living longer, there is a growing focus on healthy ageing - a meaningful lifespan without major chronic diseases and with good physical and mental function.

Previous studies suggest that omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) derived from seafood and plants may have beneficial effects on the body that could promote healthy ageing, but results are inconsistent.

So a team of US researchers, led by Heidi Lai at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston, set out to investigate the association between circulating blood levels of n-3 PUFAs and healthy ageing among older adults.